Samsung Shows Off Next Galaxy With Biometric Sensor, And Curved Fitness Band

By Tiernan Ray

At the Centre Convencions Internacional near the marina in Barcelona, Samsung Electronics updated its Galaxy S (005930KS) line, as expected, with a new version called the “S5,” which brings mostly the same size and shape, with slight variation, a fingerprint sensor, and a biometric measurement sensor built into the camera's backside flash.

Perhaps more surprising to many will be “Gear Fit,” a 27-gram curved fitness band, which Samsung billed as the world's curved band with a “Super-AMOLED” screen on it. The band will interact with Galaxy phones to do things such as accepting or rejecting incoming calls. They are compatible with 20 different Samsung devices.

Both devices, along with a new version of the “Galaxy Gear” smartwarch, become available on April 11th.

Update: Departing media were given a black “Unpacked” bag containing a 64-gig Micro SD card, and a little plastic toy figure of a cat-like creature, in black and silver, crafted in partnership with toy makers Kid Robot. His name is MiWe, and as the little card explains, stands for “meaningful innovation and Wow Experience.” MiWe, “with its large, attentive ears and S shaped tail, is the embodiment of the Samsung GALAXY brand: full of vitality, ideas, and endless possibilities.”

About Tech Trader Daily

Tech Trader Daily is a blog on technology investing written by Barron’s veteran Tiernan Ray. The blog provides news, analysis and original reporting on events important to investors in software, hardware, the Internet, telecommunications and related fields. Comments and tips can be sent to: techtraderdaily@barrons.com.